Unai Emery issues Pau Torres injury update after half-time substitution vs Ajax

Unai Emery has assured Aston Villa defender Pau Torres' premature exit from the 0-0 draw away at Ajax was planned with the Spaniard being eased back into match sharpness.

Pau was substituted at half-time at Johan Cruyff Arena, prompting some concern from Villa fans, but the £32 million summer signing is fine. It depended on how the game unfolded as to when he was to go off, but Pau was never going to play the full 90 in Amsterdam.

"Pau Torres, he had a small injury two weeks ago and didn't play the last match at Luton – he was on the bench. We did a plan with him," Emery revealed in the post-match press conference.

"Of course, the plan before the match is not always 100 per cent sure, but even like that I think tactically we needed to change something. We did it as the plan was, more or less, to play 45 minutes with Pau Torres," Emery continued.

This news will be a welcome relief to supporters as injuries have hurt Villa this season, with Pau included in the misery on two or three occasions. It has been particularly tricky defensively with nearly every backline member suffering at some stage, narrowing Emery's tactical options.

Pau is expected to start on Sunday as the Villans turn their attention back to the Premier League with a huge six-pointer against Tottenham Hotspur. Emery's men could extend the gap to Spurs in fifth to eight points and Manchester United in sixth to 14.

A win would move Villa a huge step closer to UEFA Champions League qualification.